Fallen firefighters mourned by thousands

Updated 5:45 pm, Thursday, June 6, 2013

David Renaud comforts his mother, Barbara Perez, after a memorial service for Fire Capt. Matthew Renaud, his brother.

David Renaud comforts his mother, Barbara Perez, after a memorial service for Fire Capt. Matthew Renaud, his brother.

Photo: David J. Phillip, Associated Press

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Firefighters march to a memorial service honoring the four Houston firefighters at Reliant Stadium. Dozens of firetrucks and other emergency vehicles from several cities formed a long procession on flag-lined streets leading to the stadium. less

Firefighters march to a memorial service honoring the four Houston firefighters at Reliant Stadium. Dozens of firetrucks and other emergency vehicles from several cities formed a long procession on flag-lined ... more

Fallen firefighters mourned by thousands

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HOUSTON — In an impressive public memorial, at least 15,000 mourners packed Reliant Stadium on Wednesday to grieve four fallen firefighters. Uncounted fire engines and ambulances passed in procession. There were plaudits, prayers, testimonials, bagpipes and flags.

But perhaps the most telling facet of the morning-long event was this: Two of the 13 Houston Fire Department firefighters injured in last week's motel fire begged for a temporary release from the hospital to attend.

Garner's sister Nicole remembered that her brother never cracked opened a book to study for anything until he decided to become a firefighter. Then, she told those gathered, Garner said he would “read every word twice.”

Garner ranked second in his fire academy graduating class.

Just two weeks ago, she said, Garner vowed to be a firefighter until he could no longer perform the work or until he died.

Ian Kim, Bebee's stepbrother, characterized the fallen firefighter as his best friend.

“Take the time to talk right to your loved ones,” he admonished his listeners. “Tomorrow never came for me to speak to my brother ever again.”

Sullivan's mother, Mary Sullivan, provoked chuckles from the otherwise solemn gathering when, with wry smile and uplifted eyebrow, she described her surprised ambivalence when her daughter, only 17, proclaimed she wanted to fight fires. “Every mother's dream,” she quipped.

Sullivan recalled her daughter's days as a probationary firefighter, including the time she was tasked with making dessert for the whole firehouse. Then, in a voice quivering with emotion, she said, “God bless my beautiful baby girl, Anne, and the three men who joined her.”

Station 68 engine operator Mark Van Berschot remembered that Sullivan always smiled, even on days that entailed 15 ambulance calls.

“She loved every second of it,” he said.

Renaud, colleagues recalled, was a “no-short-cuts” guy.

“When it was time to work, it was time for work,” one said. “When it was time to play, it was time to play.”

Mayor Annise Parker, among the public officials speaking, added brush strokes to the verbal portraits. She called the victims by their nicknames and shared their endearing characteristics. Bebee never could pass up a stray dog, she said.

To the dead firefighters' families, she said, in a voice filled with emotion, “They lived as a family (at Stations) 68 and 51. They died together as a family. Now you are and will forever be a part of our family.”

Gov. Rick Perry, a late addition to the observance, heralded the selflessness of firefighters, especially the four who died and 13 who were injured Friday.

“Wherever such dedication comes from,” he said, “it is a gift. That dedication drives them to greater heights in service, helping make a better safe world. It certainly drove those four individuals we honor here today. ... We will never forget their sacrifice.”